Raging Wildfire Forces Evacuations on Greece's Crete Island

Athens (Greece), Jul 3 – A rapidly advancing wildfire fueled by gale-force winds continued to rage on Greece's southern island of Crete, persisting into Thursday and leading to the evacuation of over 1,500 individuals from hotels and residences.

The fire department reported that 230 firefighters, aided by 10 water-dropping aircraft, were engaged in combating the blaze. The fire has consumed vast areas of forest and farmland in Crete's Ierapetra region on the island's southern coast. Overnight, two individuals were evacuated by boat, with an additional six private vessels on standby should further evacuations by sea become necessary, according to the coast guard.

Flames driven by robust winds have caused damage to homes as they ravaged hillside forests.

Nektarios Papadakis, a civil protection official at the regional authority, told The Associated Press that the situation is quite challenging. "It's a very difficult situation. The fire is very hard to contain. Right now, they cannot contain it," he stated.

He assured that all evacuated tourists are safe and have been relocated to an indoor basketball arena and hotels in other parts of the island.

Mobile phone alerts were issued by the Fire Service and a civil protection agency for evacuations, urging residents not to return in attempts to protect their property.

As the fire advanced over ridgelines and approached residential areas, it cast clouds of ash into the night sky, highlighted by the lights of emergency vehicles and water trucks positioned along the coastal road near the resorts of Ferma and Achlia in southeastern Crete.

Several residents were treated for respiratory issues, according to officials, but no serious injuries have been reported.

Crete is a top destination in Greece, favored by both international and domestic tourists.

A bulletin from the Fire Service warned of a very high wildfire risk across Crete and parts of southern Greece on Thursday.

Wildfires are a common occurrence in Greece during its hot, dry summers, with the fire department already having tackled numerous fires across the country this year.

Back in 2018, a devastating fire struck the seaside town of Mati near Athens, trapping individuals in homes and on roads as they fled. The disaster claimed over 100 lives, including individuals who drowned while trying to escape the flames by swimming. (AP)

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